Current Affairs: Anti-Submarine "Varunastra"Torpedo Inducted in Navy

Indigenously-built the Varunastra is an advanced heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo of India, developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory of the DRDO for the Indian Navy, has been successfully inducted in the navy, making India one of the eight countries to have the capability to design and build such a system.

This torpedo can achieve speeds in excess of 40 knots and is powered by an electric propulsion system with multiple 250 KWs Silver Oxide Zinc (AgOZn) batteries. The electric torpedo was today formally handed over to Indian Navy and the induction is set to be a "game-changer" boost for it.

Having almost 95 per cent indigenous content, Varunastra, costing about Rs 10-12 crore per unit, is capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines, both in deep and littoral waters in intense counter-measure environment.

Varunastra, weighing around 1.25 tonnes that carries about 250 kg of explosives at a speed of around 40 nautical miles an hour, was also one of the issues that came up for discussion during Defence Minister Parrikar's recent visit to Vietnam.